# Is ioredis ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> ioredis@6.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A robust, performance-focused and full-featured Redis client for Node.js.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against ioredis@6.0.0.

ioredis ships CommonJS only. require("ioredis") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0. import "ioredis" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

## What to do

1. require("ioredis") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import ioredis from "ioredis"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.0.0 (Jul 31, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 25.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for ioredis@6.0.0

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("ioredis") from a CommonJS file and import "ioredis" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("ioredis") | import "ioredis" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | works | works |
| Node.js 20 | works | works |
| Node.js 22 | works | works |
| Node.js 24 | works | works |
| Node.js 26 | works | works |
| Bun 1.4.0 | works | works |

## How to import ioredis

ES modules:

```js
import ioredis from "ioredis";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const ioredis = require("ioredis");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (231 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.26.0 – 6.0.0 | CommonJS | Apr 8, 2021 |

## Frequently asked

**Is ioredis ESM-only?**

ioredis@6.0.0 is a CommonJS package. ioredis ships CommonJS only. require("ioredis") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0. import "ioredis" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import ioredis with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import ioredis from "ioredis" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does ioredis work in Bun?**

Yes. import "ioredis" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does ioredis ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. ioredis bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [ioredis on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/ioredis)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/redis/ioredis)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/ioredis/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/ioredis.json)

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.